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Monday, December 29, 2014

"Dark Chocolate Covered Orange Peels are simple to make and even easier to eat!"

The year's end is suddenly upon us and it has hit me with a vengeance; a good kind of vengeance though. The kind that says it is good to be begin again. Though we haven't had Alex's company, we have had the pleasure of Zoe's, and I certainly hope she wants to do it again. We've crammed in massages and movies and museums. She's skied and I've cooked and the refrigerator is more full than I remember it in the last year. We've celebrated Hanukkah, eaten banh mi's, chili mac and steak, and last night we had a full fledged Thanksgiving, even though the table wasn't decorated with pumpkins and gourds.We still have New Year's to go, but she will be with friends so it looks like I'll be cooking for just my friends. I do expect though that she and the boyfriend will probably be coming back in time for dessert and whatever else might be around to stuff into their mouth's! It's been a grand visit and it isn't even close to being over. Today she is with her dad helping him choose new glass frames and I thank her for that!It is freezing in no uncertain terms outside, so I figured it best to dream of places where citrus grows on trees. No, Whole Foods didn't tell me to say that, but they do want us to think abut citrus and it sure seems like a good thought right now. Seriously though, the stores are ripe with oranges and grapefruits and Buddha's hands. They look like mysterious ghostly hands made of giant lemon peels. Pick one up and inhale its aroma. I adore the smell of Buddha's hands!

I am not a big user of citrus because I never ever liked things like orange marmalade or lemon meringue pie. Lemon in sweet food never really did it for me, nor did orange, and after being on the grapefruit diet in high school; well, I never really liked grapefruit much after that. However I will imbibe a Salty Dog now and then, but only if the conditions are right.One thing I do love though, is freshly squeezed orange juice. Winter often found us in Phoenix visiting my parents and way back when, one was able to find orange groves with juice stands just standing by the side of the road. My dad would pick up gallons of juice for us to drink and that was always so special. It's been awhile since I've seen an orange grove in Phoenix. I guess the orange groves have now become shopping malls and I do miss them. Blossoming orange trees are just the best.Well, this month begins the citrus deluge in our local groceries. What a perfect thing to start a new year with! I,of course, was wanting to make a little something sweet with them, so seeing how chocolate covered orange peels were always a favorite of Manservant's, I decided they probably wouldn't be too hard to make. Every year around Passover I buy him these treats, but they seem to be getting harder and harder to find. Well, I've solved the problem. These are so easy to make as long as you can peel an orange. Please don't tell me you can't peel an orange. All right. I admit, my mom used to peel them for me. They always seemed to taste better that way.

Whole Foods has some favorite foods in the market right now. Hopefully you will still be able to find their brand of gingerbread sandwich creams. These would taste great with a slice of chocolate covered orange peels. I also can't wait to try the Madecasse chocolate bar (made in Africa) that I splurged on. I'm taking that to the movies today to eat with my popcorn and I don't know if I'm more excited about going to the movies, or eating the chocolate bar!Check out Whole Foods for citrus, but also be sure to check around for hidden goodies. They have lots of items that you can't find any other time of year. Take advantage now. After all, the year is quickly coming to a close. Get it while you can!

Dark Chocolate Covered Candied Orange PeelsMakes about 1 cupTime to make: About 30 minutesIngredients:Peel from several large oranges, pith cut away and sliced into thin strips1/2 c water2 T sugarA few tablespoons of super fine sugar (optional)1 c dark chocolateDirections:Blanch peel in saucepan of boiling water for one minute. Drain and run under cool running water. Repeat the process.Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Boil water and sugar in a small heavy saucepan over medium low heat, until sugar dissolves. Add peel and simmer until almost no liquid remains. Transfer peel to prepared sheet, separating into strips. Cool completely. When almost cooled, I sprinkled these with superfine sugar on one side.When peels have cooled, melt your chocolate in a small bowl. I do this in a microwave on a low power for about one minute each time, whisking in between until chocolate is smooth. Now dip each individual peel into chocolate and carefully lay then back on the paper. Let harden in fridge and then enjoy!

Abbe, I've been following your blog foe about a year now. Somehow I just noticed your reference to Monical's Pizza. We just returned from visiting my in laws in Arthur IL. We pass the Arcola Monical's every time. My husband grew up on it and we stop there from time to time. Small world! By the way I love lime curd. I use it as a filling in layer cakes. Happy New Year!

My daughter and I discovered buddha's hands a few years ago at Whole Foods. I was amazed and have been a fan of their scent ever since. Your chocolate orange peels look so good. Have a great time with Zoe.

Glad you have had such fun with Zoe and eaten great food! My daughter and her boyfriend and loving everything I've made for them so far - I guess they kind of got into a food rut before moving in with me.

My MIL sent me Florida citrus one year for Christmas several years ago as my present, and I told her she never had to think again of what to send me - fresh grapefruit and oranges - so good! I love broiled grapefruit - drizzled with either honey or sprinkles of brown sugar then put under the broiler until browned and bubbly - love the sweet/savory combo.

Hi Abbe, that is so true about the citrus fields becoming shopping malls and there is even a joke about it. Our lemons and grapefruit trees are just about ready for the pickings. love your chocolate covered orange peels, they are lovely. I try especially this time of year to eat a grapefruit every day. Happy New Year!

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